Full Breakdown
Michigan Senate Race: Jewish Democrats Endorse Republican Mike Rogers Over Democrat Abdul El-Sayed
8/21/2026, 11:54:08 AM
Open Letter Backing a Republican Candidate
A group of Michigan Jewish Democrats and independents circulated an open letter urging voters to support former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) in the November 2026 U.S. Senate race. The letter, led by Detroit businessman Eric Bronstein, warns that the election of Democrat Abdul El-Sayed could allow “far-left and anti-Jewish elements” to dominate the Democratic Party and the 2028 presidential primary.
Background & Context – Israel Stance Shapes Voter Alignments
El-Sayed, a Muslim candidate, has repeatedly criticized Israel. Slate reports that his comments have been perceived by many in Michigan’s sizable Jewish community (over 100,000) as veering into antisemitic tropes, especially after he campaigned with commentator Hasan Piker, who has made antisemitic remarks and praised Hamas. The tension is amplified in metro Detroit, home to the nation’s largest Arab-American population and a historic Jewish enclave that experienced a 2024 synagogue attack in West Bloomfield. Rogers, who lost the 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin by fewer than 20,000 votes, has intensified outreach to Jewish voters concerned about El-Sayed’s rhetoric.
Data & Statistics – Polls Show a Tight Race
- AARP survey (taken beginning August 9, 2026): El-Sayed 48 % of likely voters, Rogers 47 % (margin of error ± 3.3 %).
- Fox News poll (date not specified): Rogers 51 % to El-Sayed 47 %.
- EPIC-MIRS poll (end of July 2026): Rogers 46 % to El-Sayed 43 %.
The AARP poll also notes that among voters 50 +, Rogers leads 52 % to 43 %, a 33-point advantage over “older swing voters” who are not straight-ticket voters.
Official Statements & Responses – Campaign Rhetoric
- Bronstein’s email to potential signatories acknowledges the unusual nature of Jewish voters backing a Republican, stating, “We know it is unusual for many Jewish voters to support a Republican candidate for senate and we understand the implications.”
- State Rep. Jeremy Moss, a Jewish Democrat running for Congress, said the Democratic Party must remain “bolder, tougher, and stronger” while warning that El-Sayed’s “virulent criticism of Israel” has “veered into antisemitic tropes.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Poll Discrepancies and Unverified Claims
The three cited polls differ by up to 5 percentage points, leaving the exact margin of victory unclear. Both statements are presented as allegations without independent verification and are not corroborated by other sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We know it is unusual for many Jewish voters to support a Republican candidate for senate and we understand the implications,” — Eric Bronstein
- “Abdul and I have agreed on some really big issues. There’s no daylight between us on abolishing ICE, attacking billionaires, and having a bolder, tougher, stronger Democratic Party with new leadership,” — Moss. Like El-Sayed
- “My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as the commitment I’ve got to my own kids,” — Muslim
What’s Next – November 2026 General Election
Michigan voters will decide the Senate seat in the November 2026 general election. Both campaigns continue to court swing voters, with particular focus on older voters and the Jewish community in Detroit’s suburbs.
